How To Play With Your Cat

Playing with your cat can be a lot of fun for both of you. Your cat needs stimulation and interaction in order to be happy. Plus, playing provides much needed exercise, and strengthens the bond between cat and owner. Here's how to play with your cat:

1. Get cat toys. Toys that are made specifically for cats are best, though you can also use many other makeshift toys, including a piece of string, as long as your cat is fully supervised. Cat toys include those with feathers, bells, or other stimulation. A toy with catnip inside can make your cat go crazy, rubbing his face all over the toy. Laser pens are also a great toy to get your cat up and running around the house as they chase the dot of light.
2. Play with the toys. Wave the toys in front of the cat to create movement, and watch him go after them. Cats love to hunt and catch their toys as if they were prey, which is one reason why many cat toys come in the shape of mice.
3. Teach him that your hands are not toys. This is best done when the kitten is young. Otherwise, when your cat is grown you may find yourself covered in scratches and bite marks from his claws and teeth. Your cat may not understand the difference between a toy being waved in his face and a hand waving in his face. Never let your cat bite your hands, even in playing, because this will teach them that it is acceptable behavior. If he does try to bite, remove your hand without yelling, say NO or OUCH loudly in a firm voice, and play again once he has calmed down. Shouting will only excite him more.
4. Know when to stop. If your cat is getting too excited, and you think that your cat may be ready to pounce on your hands, it's time to wind down. 10-15 minutes at a time is usually enough for most cats. If your cat doesn't seem into playing at the time, stop and try again later.
5. Put the toys away after playtime. If the toys are always out, your cat will stop being excited by them. Bringing them out only at playtime, and rotating through them so it's never the same toy twice in a row, is a great strategy for keeping things new and exciting for your cat.

Most cats love to play. You should try to set aside some time for a play session at least twice per week. Playing with your cat can help him release tension and aggression; a cat will be much less likely to tear up your house after regular playing sessions.